Puyallup says federal funds will help pay for $6.4 million festival street
Puyallup has received a federal grant for a new festival street.
In a March 3 news release, the city said it received an $850,000 grant to support the Meeker Festival Street project, which will create a new festival street on East Meeker between Meridian and Third Street Southeast.
In the release, the city said the new street “enhances pedestrian safety, improves accessibility, and creates an inviting space for residents, businesses, and community events.”
The funding came from the Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Appropriations Package. Asked about the total cost of the project, city spokesperson Eric Johnson said via email that the current estimate is $6.4 million.
The city thanked U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, who represents Washington’s 10th congressional district, which stretches from the Olympia area to Puyallup.
“This investment is a tremendous win for Puyallup,” Puyallup mayor Ned Witting said in the release. “Congresswoman Strickland’s advocacy and Senator Cantwell’s support helped bring this funding home. We are so grateful for their continued commitment to our community. This funding, coupled with our investment in streetscapes and private investment in housing and storefronts, will bring incredible vitality to our downtown. It will make it a place where residents and visitors can connect, congregate and celebrate.”
In the release, the city said the Meeker Festival Street is set for construction in the summer of 2027.
“The project is a centerpiece of the City’s downtown revitalization goals,” the release said. “In addition to creating an inviting space for gatherings and activities, it will replace aging utilities and pavement, improve streetscape infrastructure, and strengthen the connection between the downtown core and historic Meeker Mansion, enriching both daily life and visitor experience.”
The Puyallup City Council first approved a contract with consultant MIG for the project in May 2023, according to the city’s website. The council approved the design in July 2025, and the project team is currently in the final design and engineering phase.
Asked about the total cost of the project, city spokesperson Eric Johnson said via email that the current estimate is $6.4 million.
The city’s website says the project includes “a new traffic signal at Meeker/3rd St SE to facilitate pedestrian connections between the festival street and the Meeker Mansion site,” and that “Once the design concept is finished, staff plan to research grant opportunities that could help fund the project.”
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 11:06 AM.
